A Nollywood-friendly lion

MY forty days leave period, which began last week, is intended for an exploration of the deeper worlds of the movie and music industry which the traditional story deadlines couldn’t afford me. Now I am beginning to sound like a workaholic. I had looked forward to this period for a good rest and reflection of my life and what the future holds. It’s my first major leave since year 2000, and as hard as it seems, I am jettisoning the four walls of my office without looking back.

My flight to Heathrow marked the beginning of this renewed reflection for the Nigerian entertainment industry. The Afro Hollywood honours done me for the second time in five years, was well-appreciated. But this is not just about Victor Akande… but of how Nollywood can grow beyond politics and become more artistic, such that, with the imminent large spectrum to be provided by digital migration in 2015, more local contents can be generated by producers. Incidentally, my acquaintance with the action lady of E4 PR, Egor Efiok aboard that Arik Air cruise was quite insightful. I’d begged her to ensure that her forthcoming paranormal film in 3D, Mystery Beads is given the best details. If that happens, with her link of getting Nollywood acts (Joseph Benjamin, Monalisa Chinda, Jackie Appiah and Desmond Elliot) and Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to be profiled by Hollywood Weekly (HW), we may just be some steps away from acquiring a category for Nollywood films at the Cannes or Berlinale if not the Oscars.

Part of my mission this period is to also explore the movie industry in Kano which many do not know produces perhaps more movies and stars than the much-talked about Nollywood. This stint may call for a brief stop-over in Jos where shooting activities within the north is said to be preferable at the moment. Therein, wouldn’t it be nice to know the state of the country’s only TV training College? I don’t want to sound preemptive.

It will also be a privilege to see the empire where most Nollywood acts find succor. The empire that houses one man, whom I learnt is a friend and benefactor to most of our entertainment stars. Perhaps the only encouragement that some of them have to carry on, especially at this period of unsettled piracy war between artistes and intellectual thieves. The home of Chief Ateke Tom, with a gate that provides red carpet of leisurely entrant for a flurry of stars who frequent this shelter – of course, no one takes a leisure walk through the creek (laughs).

Egor and Joseph Akahome shared their experiences, which border on the real life of a ‘freedom fighter’ who is perceived otherwise and referred to in derogatory terms. It’s a story we are all familiar with: The oil rich region of the Niger Delta, with its fair share of woes ever since the discovery of crude oil in its lands since the late 50’s – the story of full-fledged display of dissatisfaction by the native inhabitants who made their living through fishing and peasant farming, over apparent neglect by government and its multinational partners – the story of untold devastation in its wake; air pollution stemming from toxic fumes produced by gas flaring from offshore rigs, and the near sterilization of the aquatic environment evident in oil slicks on the surface of its waters.

Jeta Amata’s Black Gold, which was later rechristened Black November, obviously cannot present the total story; vis a vis angle, sentiment, pains, tolerance and excesses of the people, leading to the struggle of the Niger Delta race.

We need to record this unique history, beginning with the rambo-esque antics of pioneer armed Niger-Delta activist, Major Isaac Adaka Boro, during the early 60’s, to the highly publicized Ken Saro Wiwa saga that ended tragically for the writer activist with death by hanging. I recall meeting filmmaker Ron Lavery at the Toronto Film Festival, Canada in 2008; his much-publicised intention to shoot a Ken Saro Wiwa story is yet to materialise. This movie story, I believe is the kind of avenue that, schooled in a similar freedom mission as the late Ken saro Wiwa, Chief Ateke Tom could facilitate.

Ateke Tom, one of the prominent ex-leaders of the combative groups spread over the Niger Delta area, shares his thoughts on some of the issues that revolve around that situation with the E4PR team when they paid him a visit in Lagos. Now living as a free man, having embraced the amnesty programme offered by the federal government in 2009, he is said to spend most of his days attending to the plethora of guests, friends, business associates and our own entertainment celebrities, who throng his Lagos residence for varied reasons.

He recalled to his visitors that “Life in the camp was fun. Sometimes in a bid to relieve tension and to boost morale, we used to have sessions where we ‘gyrated’ to drum beats and singing. Even the soldiers (Joint Task Force meant to combat the ‘freedom fighters’) afar off could hear our voices and singing from deep within the hearts of the creeks, but could do nothing about it.”

Hear this: “Some other times, we had girls, lots of them, coming in from the nearby university, who came of their own volition to make the camp lively. If I was indeed a bad person who cut off human heads and killed at will as some would have you believe, would that have happened?” I was made out to be a beast, a terror and an unfeeling machine, who mowed people down whenever I felt like. But even you have seen for yourself the kind of person I am.” He is said to often engage his quests with a sense of good humour, such that, it seemed difficult reconciling the perception of a fear-inducing warlord with a man bantering jokes like your average guy on the streets.

But what is his interest in the entertainment industry? “I like to support them because of the achievements they have made in their field even without government support,” said Ateke to the guests. Nice… Isn’t he a Nollywood-friendly lion?

Still savouring great moments this holiday season, I am taking a look at the city of Frankfurt from my Radisson Blu hotel room, as you read this piece. I can’t wait for tomorrow, to witness in person, the world’s most prestigious and important music and entertainment events; the MTV EMA, holding at the Frankfurt’s historic Festhalle, Germany. It is unfortunate that there would be no local content to report, as Wizkid and D’banj were dropped from the African category of the competition. It would; however be an experience to share a ‘room’ with German supermodel, TV star and entrepreneur, Heidi Klum and enjoy performances by the like of Taylor Swift, Muse and other numerous leading lights of entertainment in Europe and America. I am eager to feel the impact, power and resonance of one of MTV’s most extraordinary entertainment events.